Taxes/Fees on Intl Award Nonrefundable?
Jul 19, 2015, 6:12 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, WN A+, Marriott LT
Posts: 893
Taxes/Fees on Intl Award Nonrefundable?
Here's a new one for me. Tried to cancel an intl award on WN website. Points will refund, but it says the nearly $150 in taxes and fees will be held for future use? That doesn't happen on domestic awards.
Is this a glitch with different res system? Can I call into get this refunded? I'm particularly irked because the award tix aren't in my name, so I won't be able to use the funds.
Is this a glitch with different res system? Can I call into get this refunded? I'm particularly irked because the award tix aren't in my name, so I won't be able to use the funds.
Jul 19, 2015, 11:51 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: BA Avios, UA MP, AA, Choice, Club Carlson
Posts: 1,096
I think but I am not sure that when I booked some intl award ticket awhile back that it said that if you change any part of the award reservation that the taxes and fees become non refundable credit. If you wanted them to stay refundable then you would have to cancel and then re-book. Did you change any part of your original international reservation? That's could have rendered it non refundable...
Jul 20, 2015, 9:16 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2010
Programs: My opinions are my own and not that of my employer(s)
Posts: 1,411
It's probably something not yet automated between systems. (sharing credit card data between them)
Calling IMO seems reasonable since even security fees on Domestic flights will after all go back to your credit card. This amounts to a huge change fee. Especially since no one will likely use them. WN won't have to actually pay those taxes when not traveled just like Domestic security fees on a cancel.
That would be the International desk...
Calling IMO seems reasonable since even security fees on Domestic flights will after all go back to your credit card. This amounts to a huge change fee. Especially since no one will likely use them. WN won't have to actually pay those taxes when not traveled just like Domestic security fees on a cancel.
That would be the International desk...
Last edited by traveller001; Jul 20, 2015 at 9:27 pm
Jul 21, 2015, 9:20 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 9
Here's a new one for me. Tried to cancel an intl award on WN website. Points will refund, but it says the nearly $150 in taxes and fees will be held for future use? That doesn't happen on domestic awards.
Is this a glitch with different res system? Can I call into get this refunded? I'm particularly irked because the award tix aren't in my name, so I won't be able to use the funds.
Is this a glitch with different res system? Can I call into get this refunded? I'm particularly irked because the award tix aren't in my name, so I won't be able to use the funds.
Jul 22, 2015, 2:32 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, WN A+, Marriott LT
Posts: 893
I did, in fact, refare at some point during a SW sale. That's why I couldn't refund fees online. However, I cancelled online, and then called customer relations to get the refund. There isn't an option for intl CR, so I had to call the regular line, get connected, and then wait for 30 min to finally get someone that refunded.
PSA: cancel, don't change, intl itineraries if you will want a refund without waiting 30 min
PSA: cancel, don't change, intl itineraries if you will want a refund without waiting 30 min
Jul 22, 2015, 4:32 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Houston (HOU/IAH)
Programs: WN, UA, DL, AA, Chase UR, Amex MR
Posts: 2,269
I've also noticed that the change option can be a little flaky for international. Sometimes you will get one price by searching a route via the regular book flight route then get something totally different when you try to change your existing reservation. So for the international stuff cancel a rebook fresh definitely seems to be the way to go.
Jul 23, 2015, 3:10 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: USA
Programs: AC SE100K, F9 100k, NK Gold, UA *S, Hyatt Glob, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 5,200
I warned folks on here last year about the 'any changes to an international itinerary make the trio non refundable' warning message. Looks like you were the first on Flyertalk to test this.
Whether it is a glitch or intentional, remember that the folks running WN's international reservations system will soon be adding all of WN's domestic flights
Whether it is a glitch or intentional, remember that the folks running WN's international reservations system will soon be adding all of WN's domestic flights
Jul 23, 2015, 4:53 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Houston (HOU/IAH)
Programs: WN, UA, DL, AA, Chase UR, Amex MR
Posts: 2,269
I really hope that a lot of the odd behavior is a side effect of running two systems simultaneously further complicated by the fact that the legacy domestic side barely works even on a good day.
Jul 23, 2015, 11:05 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 21
So, I was booking a intl award this morning and noticed that the fare rules says "Nonrefundable" and not "Nonrefundable unless paid by points" like it does for domestic flights.
is this something new or is it something that is along the lines of what you are talking about here? I want to have the option of cancelling if necessary.
is this something new or is it something that is along the lines of what you are talking about here? I want to have the option of cancelling if necessary.
Feb 26, 2016, 1:05 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: IND
Programs: Avianca Brazil Diamond, Etihad Gold, Southwest CC Pass, HH Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 315
I did, in fact, refare at some point during a SW sale. That's why I couldn't refund fees online. However, I cancelled online, and then called customer relations to get the refund. There isn't an option for intl CR, so I had to call the regular line, get connected, and then wait for 30 min to finally get someone that refunded.
PSA: cancel, don't change, intl itineraries if you will want a refund without waiting 30 min
PSA: cancel, don't change, intl itineraries if you will want a refund without waiting 30 min